Tag Archives: Carol Thomas

Reflections on 2018

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As 2018 draws to a close I’d like to say thank you so much to all of those who have made my year by buying, borrowing, reading and reviewing my books. Your kindness and support are hugely appreciated!

Thank you also to all those who take the time to read my blog. It has been a year since I started it and what a great year it has been.

As well as having my first book published with Ruby fiction, and gaining my first Amazon Best Seller badge,  I have met new people, travelled and tried new things.

A big thank you to the Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction team for making this  dream come true!

In June I had the privilege of going to the Arte Umbria writing retreat with Sue Moorcroft. It turned out I was the only other writer booked, and so I had Sue all to myself for a week. It was a lot of fun, with a great many words written. Sue and I shared chats on the terrace (as well as the odd glass of wine and slice of cake!). I learnt a lot, but I think one of the most valuable lessons was how much you can achieve by putting your bottom in a seat, focusing and cracking on with your work in progress. Without that trip, my new book wouldn’t have been finished by the end of the year.

Umbria with Sue Moorcroft

In July I went to the Romantic Novelist’s Association Conference in Leeds. Despite knowing a few people who were also going, I was very nervous. When I arrived, I had missed the start of my first seminar due to traffic and so decided to get a cup of tea, and gather my bearings.

As I stood making my tea Katie Fforde, Jill Mansell and Milly Johnson walked in! They set about making their drinks, while I felt awestruck and more out of my depth than when I arrived late. But I didn’t need to worry. They took time to say hello and Katie Fforde came and chatted to me as she made her tea, about – well, to be honest, I can’t remember what because I was busy thinking – “Oh my goodness, I am talking to Katie Fforde!” What a fantastic start to a wonderful weekend. The conference was informative. The main highlight, for me, was the opportunity to speak to so many writers and to spend time with fellow Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction authors.

Meeting the lovely Katie Fforde, Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell at the RNA conference.

From the conference came the spark of an idea and later in the year eight of us joined forces to create Apricot Plots, a group in which we work together to promote our writing and the romance genre. It is a lot of fun having fellow romance authors to work and promote with, and we have already formed some lovely friendships within the group. We’ve also been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received so far.

With fellow Apricot Plotters Angela Barton, Caroline James, Morton S Gray and Jane Cable. (Looking forward to meeting Tora Williams and Mariam Kobras in the future.)

Towards the end of the year, I stepped down as a director of the Chindi Authors, to make way for new authors and ideas. I am still an active member of the group and am ever grateful to my Chindi friends for their wonderful support, whether it be with fundraising or fathoming Amazon, they are always there.

Chindi Authors raising money for Cancer Research UK

Finally, on the cusp of December, I sent the sequel to The Purrfect Pet Sitter off to my publisher. It is currently with their reading panel, and so I am awaiting their response. Eeeek! I’ll let you know how that goes. All being well it means I’ll have a new book out in the first half of 2019. What a way to start the year.

I won’t be going to Umbria this year as my cheeky nephew has booked his wedding for the same time, but I will be off to the RNA conference again. Exciting times ahead and a new book promised to my publisher for July. Wish me luck. xx

Three Fabulous Festive Reads

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With one week to go until Christmas, I am sharing some of my recent Christmas reads. They have left me feeling thoroughly festive, so if you’re looking for a fabulous Christmas read, here’s some recommendations:

One Magical Christmas by Berni Stevens

The Blurb:

When Annie Berry collides with Nik Knoll in a car park on the day of her sister’s wedding, it feels like all of Nik’s Christmases have come at once. Annie seems like just the sort of woman he’d like to get to know, and the chance nature of their encounter is almost like, well … Christmas magic.

My Review:

I love Christmas and read this book with a big smile. The story takes you by the hand, wraps you in Christmas magic and leaves you with a warm, cosy feeling. As a novella, it was a speedy read, which was ideal for me, as a busy mum during the festive period. Berni Stevens’ gorgeous story enabled me to escape for a few hours and to claim a little Christmas magic for myself; a great read with very likeable characters. Recommended for all those who wish they could still believe!

Buy Christmas One Magical Christmas.

Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat by Angela Britnell

The Blurb:

What if you had nowhere to call home for Christmas? 
When Fee Winter books a winter break at the remote Black Cherry Retreat in the small town of Pine Ridge, Tennessee, it’s with the idea that the peace and quiet will help her recuperate from her hectic life as a photographer.

But what she didn’t bank on was meeting Tom Chambers and his huge, interfering yet lovable family. With them, could Fee finally experience the warmth and support that’s been missing from her own life – and maybe even find a place to call home in time for Christmas?

My Review:

This story begins in late fall and moves towards Christmas set in the Tennessee mountains. Told from the point of view of both Fee and Tom, it soon becomes apparent that each of the main characters has issues from their past to overcome.

As the two discover more about each other, the reader is drawn into their story and to understand their motivations. Tom is lovely – a mountain man with a big family and a heart to match. I found I liked the character of Fee more as the story progressed and willed her to allow herself to find happiness.

I loved Tom’s family and the community they inhabited around the Black Cherry Retreat. They provided levity and offered support and guidance to both Tom and Fee. With a touch of intrigue, suspense, a blossoming romance, and some emotional moments this book packs plenty in for an enjoyable Christmas read.

Buy Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat.

Christmas at Borteen Bay by Morton S Gray

The Blurb:

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too. Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.
But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

(Set in the same fictional village as Morton’s other books but can be read as a standalone.)

My Review:

I greatly enjoyed my third visit to Borteen Bay. The small mentions given to characters from previous books made me smile. Having said that this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novella. With a shocking discovery on the beach early on and a touch of intrigue created by family secrets, it hooks you from the start – as you’d expect from Morton S Gray.

The story is told from the point of view of the main characters, Ethan and Pippa, who are both still touched by occurrences from their past, that have divided them. So when Pippa has to turn to Ethan for help, it is more than a body on the beach that is brought to the surface. As the two are thrown together it becomes apparent that Ethan is a different type of romantic hero; he is more measured in his responses and passions, he is flawed and yet thoroughly likeable.

As a novella, it is great to escape into for a few hours over the busy Christmas period. I enjoy Morton’s writing style and the world she has created in her Borteen Bay series. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

Buy Christmas at Borteen Bay.

With three great books to choose from, why not get a hot chocolate, put your feet up and indulge in a Christmas read? And if you haven’t read it yet (shock, horror, what have you been doing with your time?), don’t forget you could also read The Purrfect Pet Sitter, to join Lisa Blake in the French Alps for a Christmas she’ll never forget.

My reviews are posted on Amazon UK and Goodreads. xx

Kick Starting Christmas with Upcoming events!

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Kick Start Christmas with Apricot Plots:

From the 1st to the 14th of December, Apricot Plots will be kick starting Christmas with a host of bookish competitions and giveaways. Each day there will be a chance to win a signed book, goodies, an ebook, or stationery, from one of these Apricot Plots authors: Angela Barton, Jane Cable, Caroline James, Morton S Gray, Tora Williams, Julie Houston and me. There will also be the opportunity to win this fabulous six book bundle!

We can’t wait for the event to get underway and hope you’ll join us by stopping by our Facebook page and having a go at one, or more, of our daily competitions.

The Chindi Authors will be raising funds for the Alzheimer’s Society:

On the 3rd and 7th of December I’ll be joining the Chindi Authors in Rustington, West Sussex, signing and selling books to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.

With children’s books, romance reads, historical fiction, memoirs and more on offer there will be something for everyone. Signed books make perfect Christmas presents so come along, say hello and support this great cause.

See the picture for details of where and when to find us (click to enlarge).

 I hope you can make it along, your support is hugely appreciated. xx

 

 

Remember, Remember … Bonfire Night Memories with Jane Cable

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Continuing the celebration of a special bonfire night in my novel The Purrfect Pet Sitter, I am delighted to welcome fellow Chindi and Apricot Plots author, Jane Cable to my blog to share her bonfire night memories. Jane made the move from West Sussex to Cornwall in 2017 and reflects on her first bonfire night in Cornwall.

Cornwall does winter really well. When the tourists go home the celtic heart of the county seems to re-emerge; firework displays followed by Christmas lights – community events in just about every town and village – chasing away the darkness in a way that even our distant ancestors would recognise.

In the past I’ve dreaded the short days but here it seems different. Here people seem more in touch with the land, the sea and the sky. That’s not to say it’s talked about – it just kind of is.

Last year was my first bonfire night as a Cornish resident and it also marked the time of year when we take back our beach house in Porthtowan, which we let to holidaymakers from Easter to the autumn half term, and make it our own again. So it was particularly special to wrap up in coats and scarves and walk down the hill to the low sand dunes behind the beach, knowing we were back in the village for winter.

The whole village – and more – turned out. The bar nearest the beach was overflowing and there was total traffic chaos, but we found a place on the edge of the dunes and waited. All around us children played with sparklers and glo-sticks, families mingling as we waited for the main event.

Photograph by Blue Six Photography

The firework display itself was spectacular; multi-coloured rockets launching from the beach, illuminating the cliffs and filling the sky before sparkling down to the waiting waves. It was spell-binding, breath-taking – all the more because we were home.

Your Cornish bonfire night celebrations sound perfect, Jane. Thank you so much for sharing them and I hope this year’s celebrations are as spectacular. x

About Jane Cable:

Jane writes romance with a twist of mystery and has recently signed a deal for two timeslip novels with Sapere Books. Find out more at www.janecable.com or follow Jane on Twitter.  Jane is also a member of the Chindi Authors and Apricot Plots. She has published two previous novels with Matador:

The Cheesemaker’s House

When Alice Hart’s husband runs off with his secretary, she runs off with his dog to lick her wounds in a North Yorkshire village. Battling with loneliness but trying to make the best of her new start, she soon meets her neighbours, including the drop-dead gorgeous builder Richard Wainwright and the kindly yet reticent café owner, Owen Maltby.

As Alice employs Richard to start renovating the barn next to her house, all is not what it seems. Why does she start seeing Owen when he clearly isn’t there? Where – or when – does the strange crying come from? And if Owen is the village charmer, what exactly does that mean?

“I desperately want to find out about Owen; a fascinating character… the gift here is to make you want to read on.” Jeffrey Archer

Genre: Romantic Suspense | Publisher: Matador
Buy the book.

The Faerie Tree

How can a memory so vivid be wrong?

In the summer of 1986 Robin and Izzie hold hands under The Faerie Tree and wish for a future together. Within hours tragedy rips their dreams apart.

In the winter of 2006, each carrying their own burden of grief, they stumble back into each other’s lives and try to create a second chance. But why are their memories of 1986 so different? And which one of them is right?

With strong themes of love, grief and family relationships, The Faerie Tree is a contemporary women’s novel as gripping and unputdownable as Jane Cable’s first book, The Cheesemaker’s House, which won the Suspense & Crime category of The Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition. It is a story that will resonate with fans of romance, suspense, and folklore.

Genre: Romantic Suspense | Publisher: Matador
Buy the book.

Don’t miss more fabulous firework memories from fellow authors between now and November 5th, and as always, do get in touch. I’d love to hear your firework memories too. x

Remember, Remember … Bonfire Night Memories with Morton S Gray

Guest Post, Writing & Reading, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Continuing the celebration of a special bonfire night in my novel The Purrfect Pet Sitter, I am delighted to welcome fellow Choc Lit and Apricot Plots author, Morton S Gray to my blog to share her bonfire night memories. 

Morton S Gray shares her bonfire night memories:

I have lots of fragments of memories from bonfire nights past:

  • my dad and uncle throwing ‘bangers’ under my aunt and mom’s feet – we wouldn’t dream of doing this now!!!!
  • using my childhood huge rag doll as a guy on a bonfire in our garden and the bonfire stopping the traffic in the road when the wind changed.

  • squashing into my sister’s pushchair at the first big firework display I went to, as I didn’t like the explosions.

I’ve always loved sparklers, writing names and drawing pictures with the light.

These days I’m not keen on fireworks, as my little dog gets so upset by them. We live near a Safari Park and they seem to delight in putting on huge firework displays that sound as if cannons are being fired over the house.

Thank you so much for sharing your memories Morton. I am pleased it wasn’t only my dad who seemed to have a blatant disregard for the Firework Safety Code; he always kept the fireworks in a cardboard box and read the instructions with a match! (Haha, it’s amazing we’ve all survived this long!)

I hope you and your gorgeous dog have a peaceful November 5th this year. It can be a stressful time for our pets can’t it. The display in the Purrfect Pet Sitter is an organised event on a set night, that is advertised well in advance – which I know is preferable to ad hoc firework displays. And  I should point out is the main characters who go along to enjoy the night. The pets Lisa Blake looks after are safely at home with their owners.

I am lucky that my own dogs have all been fine with fireworks, but I know there are many who find this time of year stressful.

For those seeking advice for keeping their pets safe and comfortable, I hope the following links are useful:

About Morton S Gray

Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors. Her debut novel The Girl on the Beach was e-published in January 2017, after she won Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Star competition.

Morton previously worked in the electricity industry in committee services, staff development and training. She has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina acupressure massage and energy field therapy. She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can catch up with Morton on her website, on Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram. Morton is also a member of Apricot Plots.

Books by Morton S Gray

The Girl on the Beach

Who is Harry Dixon?

When Ellie Golden meets Harry Dixon, she can’t help but feel she recognises him from somewhere. But when she finally realises who he is, she can’t believe it – because the man she met on the beach all those years before wasn’t called Harry Dixon. And, what’s more, that man is dead.

For a woman trying to outrun her troubled past and protect her son, Harry’s presence is deeply unsettling – and even more disconcerting than coming face to face with a dead man, is the fact that Harry seems to have no recollection of ever having met Ellie before. At least that’s what he says …

But perhaps Harry isn’t the person Ellie should be worried about. Because there’s a far more dangerous figure from the past lurking just outside of the new life she has built for herself, biding his time, just waiting to strike.

Genre: Romantic Suspense | Publisher: Choc Lit
Read my review | Buy the book 

The Truth Lies Buried

 

Two children in a police waiting room, two distressed mothers, a memory only half remembered …

When Jenny Simpson returns to the seaside town of Borteen, her childhood home, it’s for a less than happy reason. But it’s also a chance for her to start again.

A new job leads to her working for Carver Rodgers, a man who lives alone in a house that looks like it comes from the pages of a fairy tale – until you see the disaster zone inside …

As Jenny gets to know Carver she begins to unravel the sadness that has led to his chaotic existence. Gradually they realise they have something in common that is impossible to ignore – and it all links back to a meeting at a police station many years before.

Could the truth lie just beneath their feet?

Genre: Romantic Suspense | Publisher: Choc Lit
Read my review | Buy the book

Christmas at Borteen Bay

Christmas has a way of bringing family secrets to the surface …

Christmas is a bittersweet time for Pippa Freeman. There are good memories, of course – but some painful ones too.

Then her mother is implicated in a mysterious occurrence in their home town of Borteen, and Pippa wonders if she’ll ever experience a happy Christmas again – especially when a family secret is revealed.

But when police officer and old school friend Ethan Gibson offers his support, Pippa begins to realise that even though her life has been turned upside down, a happy and hopeful Christmas isn’t impossible …

Genre: Romantic Suspense | Publisher: Choc Lit
Buy the book here.